Disciples of Jesus are Antifragile
In my reading of Antifragile: Things That Gain from Disorder,[1]by Nassim Nicholas Taleb, I found myself reflecting of Christ’s call to individuals to follow him. Those invitations were huge steps into the unknown. Steps out of stability and comfort into a lifestyle of risk, and process of transformative, or refined resilience. I cannot help but wonder how often, we as church leaders actually invite people into a life of all in risk taking with Jesus? Or has our “need to something” [2] resulted in “naïve intervention” weakening the spiritual substance of those we are called to serve?[3]
The disciples of Jesus were invited to a life of growing in antifragility. It was an invitation into a life that is totally reliant on one’s Creator (Luke 5:1-11). This was a life of adventure, randomness, volatility and insecurity in the tangible world (Luke 9:57-59). Yet somehow the risks and loss, produced a resilience of character that was sustained through faith, and an inner peace beyond comprehension (Luke 10:4). Those who embarked on this journey experience great joy and empowerment, as well as great loss, and pain (Luke 10:17, Hebrews 11:35-38). What makes this an adventure and not just some spiritual masochistic endeavor? Could the answer and strength be found in the relationship with the master? In the daily interchange of thought, daily life, and watching him navigate the random disruption with a surety and peace the disciples had not encountered? Could this possibly the value Taleb found in the “apprenticeship models” of the Swiss education system?[4]
Nassim Nicholas Taleb’s vast background in mathematics, probability, and philosophy is reflected in his writing in Antifragile. This comes through is numerous references to mythological gods and events. He has a statical approach to the nature of randomness and volatility. The overarching theme in the book is that all things, including people, benefit from “shock” and “volatile environments, because as they’re stressed and put under pressure, they get better.” [5] Taleb uses a growth mindset [6] approach to explain how a fragile being analyses the “indicators of success and failure” [7] to overcompensate, “by building extra capacity to handle even bigger shocks better.” [8]
This comprehensive book systematically explains every aspect of life in terms of how those people or aspects of society engage in facilitating strategic randomness and volatility. His knowledge and expertise are evident in his “important warnings and insights.” [9] Personally, I found this book difficult to get through. I am not sure if the content is similar to other books this semester or that my non-mathematical background struggling to connect with his logic.
That being said, I do find myself being challenged to reevaluate my leadership in terms of stealing the struggle from those I serve. There is definitely great value in exploring more of a mentor model within the church that is active and interactive while allowing for lessons through both failure and success.
[1] Nassim Nicholas Taleb, Antifragile: Things That Gain from Disorder, Random House Trade Paperback edition (New York: Random House Trade Paperbacks, 2014).
[2] Ibid., 110.
[3] Ibid., 111.
[4] Ibid., 91.
[5] Niklas Goeke, “Antifragile by Nasssim Taleb Summary and Review,” Four Minute Books, March 6, 2016.
[6] Carol Dweck, “The Growth Mindset,” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-71zdXCMU6A.
[7] Goeke, “Antifragile by Nasssim Taleb Summary and Review.”
[8] Ibid.
[9] Julian Baggini, “Antifragile: How to Live in a World We Don’t Understand – Review,” The Guardian, December 15, 2012, https://www.theguardian.com/books/2012/nov/21/antifragile-how-to-live-nassim-nicholas-taleb-review.
About the Author
Denise Johnson
Special Education teacher K-12, School Counselor K-12, Overseas field worker in Poland,16 responses to “Disciples of Jesus are Antifragile”
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Hi Denise. Thank you for your thought-provoking engagement with Taleb’s writing. I deeply appreciate your links to the discipleship journey we’re invited into by our Lord. Indeed, your closing leadership challenge is so important to honoring the antifragility developing realities of an individual’s discipleship journey…how to accompany without “…stealing the struggle from those [we] serve.”
I hear a bit of Friedman embedded in your above comment and conversation with Taleb’s book…what role do you see a leader’s differentiation playing in what you describe in your above post? In what way would Friedman equate the dangers of empathy with the temptation to steal the struggle away from those we serve?
I also appreciate you noting Taleb’s reference to the “apprenticeship models” of the Swiss education system. [4] I’m making a note of that for my NPO.
Elmaire,
Thanks for your comments and questions. I think a leader’s ability to differentiation is the foundation stone by which they can keep from being enmeshed in another’s growth. Over empathizing with another, I think is equivalent to a helicopter parent that is using more of their energy to rescue their child then the child is to resolve the issue.
Denise: I loved that you question, “I cannot help but wonder how often, we as church leaders actually invite people into a life of all in risk taking with Jesus?” From my perspective, I think we invite folks into calculated risks with Jesus – and the church as a whole operate from that standpoint too. While you were in Poland, did you notice a difference in how followers were invited into the following that differs from what you experience in the US?
Kayli,
Thank you for your clarification questions. I love how you said, “we invite people into calculated risks.” I totally agree, but I wonder if that’s what Jesus would/did? I know scripture says to calculate the cost, however, when Jesus invited the disciples, I don’t see that there was any calculating.
In Poland….that depends on when exactly we are talking about. During Communism, if you were truly walking with Jesus you had to be all in, because it could cost your life. Now, depending on which part of the Poland you are in, if you are a Protestant, it can cost you your job and family. The pressure and tension of persecution has been the one factor that has grown the people of the church.
In my opinion, all churches in Poland that have not adjusted to the freedom and comfort the society now experiences struggle to product self-sacrificing, servants of Jesus.
Denise, thanks for you great post. I especially enjoyed your connection of antifragility to discipleship. Can you say more about this statement you wrote as it intrigued me: “I do find myself being challenged to reevaluate my leadership in terms of stealing the struggle from those I serve.” I’m especially interested in the last seven words.
Thanks Roy,
For me, many leaders that I know and have worked with are often working so hard to help or prevent those they serve from danger, or pain. I wonder if we miss what we are really called to do, walk with then through it while empowering them to resolve their own challenges by seeking Jesus themselves. Jesus says the sheep know his voice. Just where I am going at this time.
Great blog. I really enjoyed hearing your meditations in light of the church and the call of disciples. This line is spectacular: I cannot help but wonder how often, we as church leaders actually invite people into a life of all in risk taking with Jesus?
I imagine you felt this often as you were living out your faith in an overseas context for years. How would you answer you own question? My take? You’re spot on… we have failed in this realm as the church. Hence, luke-warm and apathetic Christianity.
Eric,
Agreed!
Well, at this time I am all in, yet again. It freaks me out, but it is an opportunity for me to remember when Jesus has shown up before. This time in this lesson requires me to work harder to stay in the moment and entrust the process the to my Father who knows my needs better than I do. Sometimes, it’s a battle all day long on others it is a joyous walk in the park.
Denise,
I love the Disciples’ angle. I do think what they experienced with Jesus pushed them to become Antifragile, especially in the first decade of the early church as they faced growing pains, theological shifts, and persecution.
Denise: I found this to be a difficult book, too. But I think that’s part of being a doctoral student–being challenged, to read widely and deeply and to have our horizons expanded. This book qualifies for all of those things. I hadn’t thought about applying these ideas to how Jesus challenged his disciples. Great connection. Maybe all great teachers infuse into their students how to become a little more antifragile?
Troy,
I think you are right, especially if our focus is about transformation versus intellectual information gathering.
Denise thanks for making the connection between several aspects of Antifragile with scripture. For me, that always helps make the abstract more concrete. Your closing remarks about the “great value in exploring more of a mentor model within the church” remind me of some of our conversations during the Cape Town Advance. What are some ways in which you try to foster antifragility in your proteges?
Henry,
I was thinking about our conversation as I wrote this. A number of years ago my mentee that I look upon with great pride has taught me a lot. She reminded me that my most powerful role is to help her hear and discern the voice of the Father for herself. So today, she asks Jesus all the time, what is he saying to her and what does he need her to do.
The other major lesson is my “vision” for “my work/service” isn’t necessarily hers. I need to keep the people Jesus to my care loosely in my hand so that they can do all Jesus is asking of them.
When that person steps out in faith, by place is standing with them and for them so that when the Holy Spirit corrects them, they come to me for help and support.
Denise, thank you for your honesty in struggle with this book. What ways would “not stealing the struggle from those I serve” push you to embody antifragility?
Nicole, I think that I need to let them struggle more and do more to help them learn to distinguish the Father’s voice for themselves. I am often reminded of the story about Eli and Sammuel. Sammuel comes to Eli in the night asking what he desires. It took a while for Eli to realize it was the Lord. When he did, Eli sent Sammuel back to wrestle it out with the Lord.
Denise,
I enjoyed reading your blog and the comments your cohort has shared. I appreciate how you have answered their questions.
I, along with Roy, am interested in your statement:
“I do find myself being challenged to reevaluate my leadership in terms of stealing the struggle from those I serve.”
“Stealing the struggle”… I hope to remember this. I need to not “steal the struggle” from my children. I’m often challenged with this.
🙂 Kristy I am looking forward to our phone call tomorrow!